Kutztown board advances 2026–27 proposed final budget, approves multiple contracts and personnel items

At the meeting the administration presented a proposed final budget for the 2026–27 school year and the board approved the proposal by roll call. The presentation listed revenues of $38,927,227 (as reported), expenditures of $38,978,689 and a recommended real estate tax of 33.2423 mills. The administration said the budget recommendation included no reductions to instructional staff and noted some variables (kindergarten enrollment and final staffing) could still change before final adoption.

The board approved a series of consent‑agenda items and contracts including tuition/service agreements with New Story schools, a digital records conversion quote from IMR Digital for special‑education student records, and a five‑year VOIP agreement with CDW•G at an annual cost of $21,762.72 and a one‑time phone purchase of $29,554.97. The board also approved an extension with ESS Northeast LLC for 2026–2031 to maintain existing cost structures for staffing services.

Personnel recommendations listed by the administration (items 1–11, including volunteer approvals) were approved by roll call. The board appointed Elizabeth Ann Seidman as board treasurer for 2026–27 at a $1,050 stipend.

Other approvals included an affiliation agreement to host special‑education interns with a local university program, the county intermediate unit special‑education services agreement for 2026–27, summer acceleration/enrichment courses at KAHS, and a CO‑STARS vendor contract for seal coating and paving at the high school for $43,432. The board accepted a $5,000 donation from the Cookstown Rotary to sponsor the district's summer learning camp that serves roughly 100 identified students.

Where roll‑call tallies were recorded, the transcript indicates motions carried; the meeting record includes multiple recorded 'Yes' responses and occasional 'No' votes on procedural items. The board did not adopt any new policy changes at this meeting; it returned one proposed vacancies policy to the policy committee for additional language work.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve minutes (04/20/2026) and finance committee minutes (04/27/2026): approved (motion carries).
- Approve treasurer’s report and bills (items 4 & 5): approved (motion carries).
- Personnel items 1–11 (recommendation of administration): approved (motion carries).
- Proposed final 2026–27 budget (proposed revenues $38,927,227; expenditures $38,978,689; real estate tax 33.2423 mills): approved (motion carries).
- IMR Digital records conversion: approved (motion carries).
- CDW•G VOIP five‑year agreement: approved ($21,762.72 annual service; $29,554.97 one‑time phones).
- ESS Northeast LLC contract extension (2026–2031): approved (motion carries).
- Cookstown University intern affiliation agreement: approved (motion carries).
- BCIU special‑education agreement: approved (motion carries).
- KAHS summer acceleration/enrichment courses: approved (motion carries).
- Appointment: Elizabeth Ann Seidman, treasurer (2026–27) at $1,050 stipend: approved (motion carries).
- Delaware Valley Paving — seal coating/paving for KAHS ($43,432): approved (motion carries).
- Cookstown Rotary donation: accepted ($5,000): approved (motion carries).

The board recorded roll calls for many votes; the meeting minutes include names called and 'Yes'/'No' responses. The board voted to return a proposed vacancies policy (Policy 004) to the policy committee for rewording rather than adopting it at that meeting.